The Dark Knight Rises (12A) ****

EXPECTATIONS are high for what is probably the most anticipated film of the year.

EXPECTATIONS are high for what is probably the most anticipated film of the year.

Unfortunately, they are likely to be dashed by this, the third and final film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.

It’s not that it’s a bad film, in fact in places it’s very good. But it was always going to be hard to top 2008’s excellent Dark Knight, and sadly the latest movie has too many flaws.

It is far too long at two hours and 45 minutes and sags badly in the middle. I was – whisper it – even bored at times.

Tom Hardy is a great actor but the villainous character of Bane is no match for Heath Ledger’s amazing Joker.

For a start, it’s often hard to understand what he’s saying. With his odd voice and mask covering half his face, he really needs subtitles. Especially during showdowns with Batman, in which they compete to have the most ridiculously deep mumble.

Evil mercenary Bane does, however, have a stunning introduction during a daring mid-air escape.

The Dark Knight Rises picks up the story eight years after the death of Harvey Dent, for which ‘the Batman’, as they call him, has been blamed. The crime-fighting Caped Crusader has not been seen since.

Billionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), meanwhile, doesn’t have quite as much money as before and is a recluse, hiding away in Wayne Manor and grieving for dead girlfriend Rachel.

He walks with a limp and is looked after by faithful butler Alfred (Michael Caine). One of his servants is Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), who turns out to be a cat burglar and jewel thief.

She’s never actually referred to as Catwoman, but dressed in that slinky suit, who else could she be?

She’s actually the best reason to watch the movie, as she brings some much-needed wit and fun to a film which takes itself very seriously.

It’s a very British film, what with the London-born director and stars Bale, Caine, Hardy, Gary Oldman, Juno Temple, Burn Gorman, Tom Conti,

The last half-hour is fabulous – exciting, surprising and emotional, and a fitting end for a superhero.

It’s just disappointing we have to sit through more than two hours of not-so-gripping stuff to get there.

It’s certainly one to see, but personally I was more entertained by The Avengers and Spider-Man.